In a recent statement to the Associated Press, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels reiterated his discomfort with the LGTBQ community and same-sex marriage.
“My position is that marriage should be between a man and a woman,” Michel responded on Tuesday.
Following these remarks, the Michels Corp. construction company co-owner gave an ambiguous answer on whether he would limit the rights of gay people if he were elected governor.
In 2004, Michels expressed his opposition to homosexuality when he was running for the U.S. Senate, stating that he would support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2015, when the Supreme Court delivered their decision on Obergefell v. Hodges and effectively ended same-sex marriage bans in several states.
Meanwhile, current governor Tony Evers (D) used his office to advocate for gay rights when he ordered a rainbow flag be raised over the Wisconsin State Capitol to celebrate Pride month.
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Michels in the Wisconsin primary, which will take place on August 9. He survived a challenge to be taken off the ballot last week after there were disputes over the legitimacy of some of the signatures on the nominating petitions he submitted.